Dr. Jack Reeder is a conductor and tenor from Champaign, Illinois. He holds MM and DMA degrees in choral conducting from Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music, where he studied under GRAMMY-winning conductor Donald Nally. He comes to Longwood after teaching at Northwestern and leading church and synagogue choirs in the Chicagoland area. Reeder sings with Philadelphia's The Crossing and Chicago's Music of the Baroque Chorus and Constellation Men's Ensemble. His research focuses on the choral works of Kaija Saariaho and the evolution of American Jewish choral music.
This fall at Longwood, he will conduct Camerata and Chamber Singers and teach Aural Skills, Basic Conducting, and Choral Methods. He looks forward to exploring the many incredible state parks around Farmville and shares that he can't wait to get started!
Violinist Dr. Emily Ilyes has a passion for performing and teaching, and returns to the music faculty at Longwood University as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin. Ilyes will be teaching applied violin and viola lessons, directing the University's Chamber Orchestra, and teaching music history.
Emily has performed as soloist throughout Argentina and Japan, and her most recent performance brought her to Dublin, Ireland, where she gave a recital at the Piano Academy of Ireland. An avid orchestral musician, Emily is principal second violinist with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and first violinist with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. Emily is the first violinist with the Chrysalis Chamber Players, a string quartet with trumpet soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden.
Ilyes earned dual Bachelor of Music degrees from West Virginia University, Master of Music from Texas Christian University, and the DMA from Shenandoah Conservatory. Emily is absolutely ecstatic about returning to the music department. "Being a part of the faculty during Fall 2024 was such an amazing experience. My colleagues made me feel incredibly welcome, and the students are so supportive of each other. Having the opportunity to be back with everyone is really a dream-come-true!"